Stand

"10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;" (Ephesians 6:10-18)

       Yesterday, I preached a sermon entitled "Stand." Here are three things that we must have in order to stand. 

1.  Armour.  In Ephesians 6, verses 11,13, and 14, we are told that we need the armour of God in order to stand.  Obviously, the armour of God is a longer study than I could write about here.  However, I believe that many Christians are missing pieces of this armour, and thus falling prey to the devil.  Oh, for a generation that once again realalized that we are in a battle, and that God has given us all the protection we need, if we will just avail ourselves of it!  (On a side note, many "professing" Christians have never donned the "helmet of salvation."  They have never been born again; therefore, they won't last when the fighting gets hot.)

2.  Belief.  12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.  (II Timothy 1:12-14).  Why did Paul stand?  He knew what he believed.  Think of it is way-  "No one ever stands for a cause they don't believe in."  And as Christians, it isn't just a belief or a faith- we have THE faith!  Paul didn't say that he had kept a faith, or some church denomination's faith, or that he had been a person of faith, or that he had finished his journey of faith- he simply said "I have kept the faith"!!! (II Timothy 4:7)

3.  Conviction.  "And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?" (I Samuel 17:29).  "But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself."  We must become men and women of conviction, purposing in our own hearts to "just do right."  Most battles are not won or lost on the battlefield, they are decided long before that.  The preparation, the planning, the determination, the conviction- this is what will bring success! 

       Recently, I was talking to a man before one of our concerts, and he asked if I was going to do a good job.  I told him that I would try, to which he responded, "I have a sign on my computer that reads, 'Don't try- just do.'"  As I later reflected on what he said, I realized that many Christians spend their lives "trying" to do right, while a few simply "do" right.  Which kind of Christian are you?

                                                       "If you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything."